When it comes to finalizing interior designs of homes, blinds are one of the factors that take the front row. It’s amazing how the right ones can instantly elevate the look of your home to give it that perfect look. Because there are so many different types available, homeowners have a lot to pick from that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This fact also makes homeowners very indecisive, often taking several days and sometimes, weeks to make a final choice.
As choosing the right blinds that will perfectly suit both your style and the design of your home can be a daunting task, we’ve decided to put together this guide and hopefully, it is helps you make the best decision.
How are Blinds Different from Shades?
These two words are often used interchangeably which is wrong because although they are both types of window treatments, they however, vary from each other. The main difference between the two is simply the materials they are made from. Yes! It’s that simple.
Shades are mostly made from fabrics while blinds are made from more sturdy materials like wood or metal, or composite. Because shades are made from fabrics, they tend to give a home a warmer look as opposed to blinds.
In terms of functionality, shades are behind blinds because they cannot be adjusted for light filtering which is one of the main selling points of the latter. Blinds are also confused for shutters because they both have similar appearances. The difference between the two is that a blind is attached inside of a window recess while a shutter is attached to a window frame itself to give it a sturdier structure.
If you fancy shutters, you’d be happy to know that they can be custom made to match your taste, style and window. To find companies that make these custom shutters, one can simply search Google to get started. For instance, homeowners in Charlotte, NC could simply search for custom shutters in Charlotte NC, to find the companies offering the service in the area.
Now that the confusion has been cleared, let’s dive right back into what we all want to know.
What Exactly are Window Blinds?
A window blind is a type of window treatment that has hard coverings composed of several slats held together by cords that are passed through the slats. These slats are long and can be either horizontal or vertical.
A window blind can be operated manually or be motorized and controlled by a remote controller. Homes with window blinds have been found to look better and more attractive than those without them.
What To Consider Before Making a Choice
There are several factors you have to take into consideration if you are to take a decision you’d be happy with for the long run. You have the following in mind when you go shopping:
1. Types of blinds
2. Style
3. Material
4. Privacy and light control
5. Safety
6. Window type
7. Budget
Types of Blinds
You definitely want to have an idea of the types of window blinds available before you go shopping. There are several and although they all serve the same function, they may not all fit your preference or home design. Popular types include roman, horizontal, vertical, roller, and perfect fit blinds. Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3j_q5U1KKI to learn how to install perfect fit blinds.
They all have their pros and cons so you’d want to make sure you know these as well. For instance, one of the pros of a vertical blind is that they have exceptional light control. The con is that they are difficult to clean as you’d have to wipe each vane individually.
Style
A window shade, blind, or shutter is added to a window for a few reasons, one of which is to add to its beauty which in turn adds to the overall look of the room. Due to this fact, the type of blind chosen should fit your personal preference and theme of your room.
For a warmer, earthy look, you may want to go for a wooden horizontal blind. If you prefer a more serious minimalist look, a vertical blind should suffice. All in all, consider which style you’d like before making a choice.
Material
Window covering come in a wide variety of materials. When choosing the type of material for a blind, consider its functionality. For parts of the home with high heat, a white aluminum Venetian blind would do great in getting rid of any excess warmth.
For wet regions like kitchens and bathrooms, you’d want to get a material that can resist moisture. In this case, a faux wood or vinyl blind will adequately get the job done.
Privacy and Light Control
Aside from contributing to the looks of a room, a window blind is also functional in privacy and light control. Unlike shades, blinds can be adjusted to get a desired amount of light into a room. They can also be shut completely for privacy and wont’ get blown open by regular winds if the windows are open.
Window Type
The type of window on your wall will affect the type of blind you’ll buy. So, before picking out that “perfect one”, you may want to make sure it’ll fit properly on your window.
Safety
This is very important, especially for homes with little kids. If you have kids below the age of four, you may want to stay away from aluminum blinds. Click here to learn more about blind safety.
Budget
This is one factor you’d definitely consider even if it wasn’t mentioned here. The prices of blinds depend on several factors from their build material and quality to their design and market demand. Roller blinds in most cases are the cheapest with prices starting at around $6 while the more expensive one-the perfect fit starts at around $17.
Conclusion
Although one can totally, pick out the best blind for one’s home, this isn’t always the case. To do it right, you may want to consider hiring an interior designer to help out. Interior designers have a better understanding of color and room layout which makes them perfect for the job.
